Upon returning to the U.S. after a holiday in Japan, Lizzo faced a lawsuit from three former backup dancers. The lawsuit alleged sexual, religious, and racial harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and weight-shaming.
This legal battle took a toll on the singer, leading to her first panic attack when she arrived in the country in October 2023.
“When I was in Japan, I was doing the best I can, but there was a huge scandal (and) I was dealing with a lot. When I touched down in Los Angeles, it didn’t hit me how deeply affected I was because I had been trying to be happy for everyone else (on holiday),” she said during the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast. “I got in LA and had my first panic attack ever. I was in the car coming home from the airport.”
The Juice hitmaker admitted that her usual anxiety-management techniques didn’t work, and she felt like something was pressing on her chest.
“I had this thought, I was like, ‘Everybody hates me. Everybody hates me for something that isn’t true, but at the end of the day, because of the position I’m in, everybody hates me, and there’s nothing you can do about it,'” Lizzo recalled. “I got into the house, I could barely walk, and I collapsed by my bed and was like, ‘Oh s**t.’ I couldn’t breathe… from then on, I have been in a state of depression because I didn’t know how to fix it.”
Despite feeling like she had lost the will to live during this challenging time, Lizzo found inspiration in a heartwarming encounter with fans. Their words of love and support motivated her to move forward and name her upcoming album Love in Real Life.
Lizzo, 36, denied the allegations and attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, successfully challenging some of the claims while others were upheld by the court.
